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New York Post
02-07-2025
- New York Post
Why Bryan Kohberger's guilty plea means he may get the last laugh — and torment his victims further
When Bryan Kohberger pleads guilty to murdering four college students today, he wins control of the narrative and has the last laugh, a murder case expert tells The Post. With a trial averted and the death penalty taken off the table through a plea deal, Kohberger, 30, will go to prison the only person with firsthand knowledge of what he did in the bedrooms of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022, and why. 'With no trial, he gets to keep certain secrets. The air of mystery and in some ways that gives him the upper hand,' Jeff Guinn, author of crime books including 'The Life and Times of Charles Manson,' and 'Waco,' among others told The Post Tuesday. Advertisement Indeed, Guinn notes that the lack of a trial means the victims' families and the general public may never hear evidence of what motivated Kohberger to murder four University of Idaho students, which of them – if any – were the intended target or if he had ever met them. 5 Criminal trial experts tell The Post Kohberger will get the power to spin the story of the despicable crime to suit him from prison when he answers a guilty plea. 5 The University of Idaho victims (clockwise from bottom left): Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20. Advertisement 'If he decides he wants to make a public statement he's taking control through this deal because he's still living, breathing and talking. As long he can talk, he's got some control,' Guinn said. However, the trauma of the despicable slaughter will continue to burden the grieving families of his victims: Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernoodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. Furious family members of the murdered students have already said they will fight the plea deal offered by prosecutors, which puts Kohberger behind bars for life without the possibility of appeal or parole. 'Idaho has failed. They failed me. They failed my whole family,' Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee, told NBC's 'Today' show. Advertisement Kohberger, who was a Criminology student at Washington State University, just a few miles from Moscow but over state lines, was arrested in December 2022. He was slated to go to trial in August after a protracted legal back and forth delayed proceedings. 5 'By not having a trial, he [Kohberger] gets to keep certain secrets, the air of mystery and in some ways that gives him the upper hand,' Jeff Guinn, author of crime books including 'Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson,' and 'Waco,' among others told The Post Tuesday. AP 5 Steve Goncalves, father of University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves, speaking during a vigil in 2022 James Keivom Now, Guinn says, it's most likely the majority of evidence amassed by prosecutors about Kohberger's crimes will remain sealed. Advertisement Guinn noted Kohberger's life behind bars could play out much like notorious career criminal Charles Manson, who died behind bars in 2017. Manson was handed the death penalty for murders carried out by his cult in 1971 in California, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972 when the state briefly abolished the death penalty. 5 Victim Xana Kernodle (middle) with her father Jeff and sister Jazzmin in Dec. 2021. AP '[Charles] Manson set the paradigm for how much notoriety you can get, for how much you can live off your bloody exploits by getting that life imprisonment. Periodically he would say or do something crazy and get his name back in the news,' Guinn told The Post. 'In [Kohberger's] case, if you commit this kind of crime you tend to think of yourself as sort of a God-like figure anyway. The plea gives him a further chance to exist in a way that will get more attention, and make him seem [to himself] more superhuman … I doubt he's taking this plea to quietly disappear into the penal system. 'The secondary thing is I'm surprised the prosecution would do this if they felt they had a slam dunk case.' Although Idaho has the death penalty, its last successful execution was in 2012. An attempt to execute prisoner Thomas Creech in February 2024 was aborted after an hour after the team could not establish a reliable IV line into his body.
New York Post
02-07-2025
- New York Post
Why Brian Kohberger's guilty plea means he may get the last laugh — and torment his victims further
When Bryan Kohberger pleads guilty to murdering four college students today, he wins control of the narrative and has the last laugh, a murder case expert tells The Post. With a trial averted and the death penalty taken off the table through a plea deal, Kohberger, 30, will go to prison the only person with firsthand knowledge of what he did in the bedrooms of 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022, and why. 'With no trial, he gets to keep certain secrets. The air of mystery and in some ways that gives him the upper hand,' Jeff Guinn, author of crime books including 'The Life and Times of Charles Manson,' and 'Waco,' among others told The Post Tuesday. Indeed, Guinn notes that the lack of a trial means the victims' families and the general public may never hear evidence of what motivated Kohberger to murder four University of Idaho students, which of them – if any – were the intended target or if he had ever met them. 5 Criminal trial experts tell The Post Kohberger will get the power to spin the story of the despicable crime to suit him from prison when he answers a guilty plea. 5 The University of Idaho victims (clockwise from bottom left): Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, and Xana Kernodle, 20. 'If he decides he wants to make a public statement he's taking control through this deal because he's still living, breathing and talking. As long he can talk, he's got some control,' Guinn said. However, the trauma of the despicable slaughter will continue to burden the grieving families of his victims: Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernoodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20. Furious family members of the murdered students have already said they will fight the plea deal offered by prosecutors, which puts Kohberger behind bars for life without the possibility of appeal or parole. 'Idaho has failed. They failed me. They failed my whole family,' Steve Goncalves, father of Kaylee, told NBC's 'Today' show. Kohberger, who was a Criminology student at Washington State University, just a few miles from Moscow but over state lines, was arrested in December 2022. He was slated to go to trial in August after a protracted legal back and forth delayed proceedings. 5 'By not having a trial, he [Kohberger] gets to keep certain secrets, the air of mystery and in some ways that gives him the upper hand,' Jeff Guinn, author of crime books including 'Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson,' and 'Waco,' among others told The Post Tuesday. AP 5 Steve Goncalves, father of University of Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves, speaking during a vigil in 2022 James Keivom Now, Guinn says, it's most likely the majority of evidence amassed by prosecutors about Kohberger's crimes will remain sealed. Guinn noted Kohberger's life behind bars could play out much like notorious career criminal Charles Manson, who died behind bars in 2017. Manson was handed the death penalty for murders carried out by his cult in 1971 in California, but the sentence was commuted to life in prison in 1972 when the state briefly abolished the death penalty. 5 Victim Xana Kernodle (middle) with her fahter Jeff and sister Jazzmin in Dec. 2021. AP '[Charles] Manson set the paradigm for how much notoriety you can get, for how much you can live off your bloody exploits by getting that life imprisonment. Periodically he would say or do something crazy and get his name back in the news,' Guinn told The Post. 'In [Kohberger's] case, if you commit this kind of crime you tend to think of yourself as sort of a God-like figure anyway. The plea gives him a further chance to exist in a way that will get more attention, and make him seem [to himself] more superhuman … I doubt he's taking this plea to quietly disappear into the penal system. 'The secondary thing is I'm surprised the prosecution would do this if they felt they had a slam dunk case.' Although Idaho has the death penalty, its last successful execution was in 2012. An attempt to execute prisoner Thomas Creech in February 2024 was aborted after an hour after the team could not establish a reliable IV line into his body.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
50 years of Emergency: How George Fernandes' arrest in Lucknow ignited railway strike; united fractured opposition against Indira Gandhi's govt
As the country observes 50th anniversary of Emergency, Arvind Chauhan finds out how an arrest in Lucknow led to a movement, and to curb it, the then PM suspended civil rights and cracked downed on the opposition May 2, 1974. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was well past midnight. After a hectic day at Labour Day celebrations, George Fernandes, a 44-year-old charismatic and fiery socialist leader, was about to retire for the day at Lucknow's Charbagh railway station retiring room. He had a late dinner and his last request to the volunteers attending to him was a glass of hot milk. A young railway apprentice, Shiva Gopal Mishra, 23, promptly delivered it to Fernandes, who had just been elected president of the All India Railwaymen's Federation (AIRF). 'I had no inkling what was going to happen moments later,' Mishra now recalls. As the clock struck 2 am, there was a frantic knock on Fernandes' door. Still trying to sleep, as he opened the door, the unwanted guests swooped down on him. It was a team from Delhi Police. Fernandes was under arrest. This arrest went on to ignite one of the most significant labour movements in the history of India — the nationwide railway strike of 1974. Mishra, now 74, who is the general secretary of AIRF, vividly recounts that night, a memory etched in his mind from his long career with Indian Railways, from which he retired in 2010. His story aligns seamlessly with Rahul Ramagundam's biography, 'The Life and Times of George Fernandes', which recounts the chain of events with striking clarity. According to Ramagundam, the Delhi police team escorted Fernandes from his first-floor retiring room to the Amausi airport, where a govt plane was waiting for them. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was transported to Delhi just after the break of dawn. Simultaneously, in Delhi, the driver of the then Union railway minister Lalit Narayan Mishra delivered a letter to Fernandes' wife, Leila, blaming Fernandes for the breakdown of negotiations — a move Fernandes later called a 'treacherous act'. The backdrop to this dramatic arrest was the AIRF's planned indefinite nationwide strike, proposed from May 8, 1974. The railway workers, under Fernandes, demanded better wages comparable to public sector employees, full trade union rights, reclassification of railway jobs, an eight-hour workday, adjustments in dearness allowance, bonuses, and shops to provide subsidized grain. These demands reflected the economic hardships faced by workers amid an oil crisis, rising inflation, and global economic depression. Fernandes, who was elected AIRF president in Oct 1973 at the federation's Secunderabad convention, had defeated Peter Alvares, a soft-spoken Goan freedom fighter, by securing 277 as compared to Alvares' 210 votes. At 43, Fernandes brought a new vigour to the union, galvanizing workers across the country. The arrest on May 2, however, accelerated the strike's momentum. The news of his arrest triggered spontaneous protests across India. By May 5, workers at railway centres from Gorakhpur to Guwahati and Mumbai abandoned their posts and took to the streets in processions. 'The arrest of George Fernandes cemented the opposition's unity against Indira Gandhi's regime,' says Ramagundam, an associate professor of history and culture at Jamia Millia Islamia. The strike, originally planned for May 8, erupted prematurely as workers rallied in solidarity with their leader. The arrest of this former parliamentarian was no small matter as it sparked outrage even among political opponents. Jan Sangh leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee moved a no-confidence motion in Parliament, while CPI leaders like Shripad Amrit Dange, who supported Indira Gandhi's govt, also criticized the arrest. From Tihar Jail, Fernandes penned letters to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and railway minister Lalit Narayan Mishra, urging them to address the workers' economic demands to avert the strike. 'You can still avert the catastrophe, if you wish. But if the idea is to have a trial of strength, then, this time, I hope, the railway men will not be found wanting in providing their mettle,' he wrote, as quoted in Ramagundam's biography. Both the govt and the unions were apprehensive of the economic fallout of a railway strike, as it could paralyze India's economy. The govt, citing the oil crisis and global recession, urged workers to call off the strike and help the govt stabilize the economy. The unions, led by Fernandes, sought a 'negotiated settlement' to address their grievances, warning that a prolonged strike would be catastrophic. Yet, despite shared concerns, the strike proceeded. The govt, alarmed that Fernandes' letters were reaching the press before their intended recipients, secured a court injunction barring him from interviews, telephone communication, or sending letters without clearance. Fernandes' leadership was remarkable not just for its intensity but for its reach. 'George captured the heart of the railway workers,' Ramagundam told TOI. 'He could connect with workers across the country, from small stations to factories producing railway equipment. He lowered himself from a former MP to a union leader, projecting the workers' demands with zeal and honesty.' Fernandes traveled tirelessly, addressing workers at far-flung stations and industrial units, embodying the spirit of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, who believed in fighting injustice regardless of time or place. The strike, deemed illegal by the govt, ended on May 28, 1974, after internal discord within the AIRF's action committee led to its withdrawal. Fernandes, however, faced further trials. During the Emergency, he was arrested again on June 10, 1976 for his alleged role in the Baroda Dynamite Case, an alleged plot to destabilize the govt. He remained in jail until March 22, 1977, when the Janata Party's victory secured his release. The legacy of George Fernandes as a maverick socialist endures. Later serving as defence minister in the Vajpayee govt, he remained a symbol of resistance and solidarity. 'His ability to unite railway workers in 1974, despite overwhelming odds, showcased his unique leadership — a blend of fiery oratory, grassroots connection, and unwavering commitment to workers' rights. The 1974 strike, though short-lived, left an indelible mark on India's labour movement, proving that even in the face of repression, the spirit of collective action could challenge the might of the state,' said Rahul Ramagundam. As Shiva Gopal Mishra reflects on that fateful night in Lucknow, he recalls not just the arrest but the man who inspired a generation of workers. His arrest may have sparked the strike, but it was his vision and courage that fueled its fire, making him a towering figure in India's struggle for workers' dignity.
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Veteran actor Boikie Pholo to be honoured at Khuma Film Festival
The festival takes place from 28 to 30 May. Legendary actor Moditle 'Boikie' Pholo, best known for his iconic role as Raitlhwana in Lesilo Rula, will be honoured at this year's Khuma Film Festival. The festival takes place from 28 to 30 May at the Philemon Masinga Sports Complex Hall in the North West Province. With a career spanning more than five decades, Pholo is being recognised for his outstanding contribution to the South African film and television industry. Festival director Neo Ntlatleng, who is also an award-winning actor and producer, said the decision to honour Pholo was long overdue. 'We are proud and honoured to celebrate our very own legend, Ntate Boikie Pholo. His work has inspired not only young people from the North West but generations across all nine provinces. 'It's about time we give our legends their flowers while they can still smell them.' ALSO READ: Lesufi launches mentorship programme to honour late actor Don Mlangeni-Nawa Khuma Film Festival: Three days of film, dialogue, and more The Khuma Film Festival is dedicated to fostering local talent and building a deeper appreciation for storytelling through film. This year's festival, now in its second edition, is expected to draw a diverse audience of filmmakers, students and cinema lovers for a three-day programme that includes film screenings, workshops, panel discussions and tributes. Festival founder Naomi Mokhele said the festival has been carefully curated to resonate with local audiences and nurture future filmmakers. 'We want to inspire young people to tell their own stories. Our aim is to build a film industry in this region and a community that truly appreciates cinema,' Mokhele added. The festival will open with Sew the Winter to My Skin, Jahmil XT Qubeka's award-winning 2018 film about outlaw John Kepe in the 1950s Great Karoo. It will close with The Life and Times of Menzi Ngubane, a heartfelt documentary tracing the late actor's journey from 1987 to 2021. Beyond the big screen, the festival will feature workshops and masterclasses hosted by well-known industry figures such as Vincent Moloi, Robert Mpisi, Israel Matseke-Zulu, Thembile Botman and Didintle Khunou. NOW READ: Get to know the new faces of 'Listing Cape Town' as show returns for season 3
